Friday, 11 May 2012

UNITED LOOKING FORWARD TO ENDING DECADES OF CHELSEA MISERY

Manchester United will travel to London equiped with a lot of form , and a huge boost of the return to action of its top quality players . United will be hoping to dismantle the out of form blues team that is under transition presently by AVB. United will be hoping to claim their first League victory over their London rivals at Stamford Bridge in almost a decade. The last time United beat the London side at Stamford Bridge was back in 2002 with a soothing 3-0 victory. Meetings between the two sides have being boisterous, with many bookings as well as a handfull of marching orders. Over the years, the EPL title have been completely dominated by the two sides. With the last seven titile shared among them, with United winning 4 and the London outfits winning just three. The meeting on Sunday is a different case, as Chelsea are a hefty 12 points adrift of the 4th place, not to talk of claiming the title.

United have the best away record this season, having won 8 and lose one out of the 11 away games this season. And they are in a pole position of claiming a vital 3 points at the bridge on sunday. United beat Chelsea 3-1 at Old Trafford back in September, a game that was proclaimed by Sir Alex Ferguson to be ''Crazy'' game where ''it could have been 20-18''. It was in that game that Fernando Torres restore his place for a contention in the greatest miss of the season, having dribbled pass 3 men including the keeper, the spaniard has only the net to smile at; but to the bewilderment of everyone, he infelicitously fired wide.

However, United season have been hampered and disrupted by a huge and lengthy injury to virtually almost every member of the squad. the duo of Nani, Rooney, Young and Cleverley are all expected to feature on sunday, this signals united early season form, putting up a dazzling and mesmirising display from the team that has an average age of 23 for which spurs,gunners, and city (in the charity sheild) were all a victim. Winger Young has not played since the 5 nill vctory at Craven Cottage; while Nani was stamped by Alex Song in that crucial derby victory few weeks ago; Also Rooney hasn't played since the game against Arsenal too; And Cleverley who suffers a recurrent of an ankle injury sufered against bolton in the 1 nill victory at Everton back in October.

Anothe problem is the Goal keeping department, where Anders Lindegaar was ruled out for a month with a knee injury suffered in training. While David De Gea call in sick; althoug the young burgeoning spaniard had an extra training session for the past two days, therefore he should be a huge boost too. Another options is also: Ben Amos, having made his Debut against Stoke city with a few impressive saves to deny Cameron Jerome a crucial goal that might bring Stoke back in the game.

Victory for Manchester United would take them 3 points at the sumit of the table prior to city's result the following day(Monday)

THE TRUE COLOURS OF ISLAM

Well, many people often construe and misconcieve islam as the religion founded by Muhd(SAW) in 570AD. He was only sent to spread the religion . This ofcourse made me to make reference with Michael Ogunu in 1990; where he made it obvious that: ''islam is the religion founded by Muhd. Born in the year 570AD. By 650AD, he made his doctrines known to people and the new religion flouroshed. He inculcated in his followers that any person who died in propagating the religion would go straight to heaven, this made his men to faught relentlessly in propagating the religion''
Islam is an arabic word meaning 'peace' and also submission (to Allah and his messenger). And if we make reference to Q3:19:''indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the scripture did not differ except after knowlegde has come to them - out jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah,then indeed, Allah is swift in taking account'' also in Q3:67:''Abraham was neither a jew nor a christain, but he was one inclining towards truth,a Muslim (submimiting to Allah and his messenger) and Allah is the ally of believers''. From these verse above, Abraham was mentioned, and Muhammad (SAW) happens to be the last prophet in islam. It means that Ibrahim (AS) was also a muslim, and between him and Muhammad (SAW), there were many prophets(predecessors) that came to preach Allah's words. This practically means or showcased to us that: Muhd (SAW) was not the founder of Islam;so is Ibrahim (AS) and the other prophets. Muhd (SAW) was only sent to come and put people into the right path by teaching them the islamic religion as well as its jurisdictions.
Having come this far, its pertinent to realise the claim made by the outside world(non muslims to be precise) about the misconceptions that islam is a religion that envisages terrorism,hatred and so on. This claim is however disheartening and demoralising to the mind. Today,anywhere a muslim finds himself,he is just a subject of riducule as they regards him to be very malicious,clumsy,and truculent person;and yet they lack concordant and cogent reasons to back their faulty allegations. There is no where you will see islam encouraging inappropriate and unsagacious moralities that is of great deteriorations to the entire populace. Islam enjoins its followers to maintain absolute decorum and tranquility where ever they found themselves,thus we have the 'Malams' and 'Sheikhs' that serves as a parent surrogate. Islam enjoins it people to be patient. Hitherto Qur'an 2:153: ''0 you who believed, seek help through patience and prayers. Indeed Allah is with the patient'' this is not the only place that talks about patient, we have a plethora of them.
This calls for the need to give a vivid instance to when Muslims were allowed to retaliate. When the prophet (SAW) started his preachings, there were many tensions and pressure from the non muslims to stop the movement(spreading of islam), but due to some Qur'anic verses, he kept silent. Their houses were burnt, properties confiscated etc yet he remains silent. When the predicaments becomes worst, they are then instructed in Q2:190: ''Fight in the way of Allah who fight you, but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors'' also in Q2:192:''And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is forgiving and merciful'' it is also important to mention Q9:13:''would you not fight people who broke their oaths and determine to expel the messenger(Muhd [SAW]) and they had begin the attack upon you the first time? Do you fear them? But Allah has more right that you should fear him, if you are truly beleivers. From these verses so far mentioned,it can be clearly stated that: islam doesn't encourage war and other sabotage meant to deteriorate and causes many turbulent rages. Yet muslims were allowed to fight and defend themselves only on one condition which is: it must be that the attack was done to them first. Its quite obvious that all the social vices and frailtys that is depleting Nigeria comes only when muslims tried to fight back when they are been attacked,yet they are often refers to as culprits. And all this manifests itself in the secterian and religious crises we are suffering from, which culminated into massivie massacre,high mortality rates,suicide bombings, road attacks by anonymous people etc we have a lundry list of them. The situation today is so disheartening, whenever you are dressed in a good Islamic outfits,having huge beards, etc people will begin to have a great phobia of you, and begins to have a negative perception about you; and you are been affiliated to so many names in order to mock you.
Furthermore, the 1999 constitution as amended 10th Jan 2011 is highly monumental to mention. Let us make reference to chapter (ii): The fundamental objectives and directed principles of state policy. Section 14(2)(b): ''the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the Government'' and also let extend a bit to Chapter 33(1): ''every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprieved intentionally of his life,save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found quilty in Nigeria''. From the above extracts, it can be noted that it is the responsibilty of the Federal Govenment to protect the security and welfare of its people and by so doing, we can live in peace once again.
Since security and welfare is the governments primary purpose ,all other issues and other transformation agenda has to come after not before security. It was recently approved in the 2012 budget that N920 Billion is for security.... I urge and pray that the money is being used in order to provide adequate security in this country that is in disarray. The money should be used in purchasing amunitions,good transportation systems, and also regular seminar and workshops for our security personels on how to provide security. By so doing, the legal and forensic departments can be active. It is also the responsiblity of the govenment to to protect human rights, but infelicitously, reverse is the case. We have people decaying in mortuaries,robbery etc. Yet the federal goverment turns a deaf ears to peoples needs, thus the constitutional provision proves to be meaningless and vacuous.



In conclusion, the issue of security and the myriads of crises that is bombarding Nigeria can only be solved in a diplomatic and a dialogue manner. This is however seen in the efforts of St Augustine in an attempt to resolve peace and other conflicts. He procliamed that: ''peace can not be kept by force, it can only be achieved by mutual understanding'' . This means there must be mutual understanding between the two parties. The government should sit down on a round table with the representatives of both parties, and solved the problems diplomatically even if it means granting amnesty to the culprits. The issue of religious sentiments and other ethnicity should be discouraged. The government should provide a skeletal framework and plans that cease to ban religious,secterial as well as tribal crises. We should live together in harmony and have a mutual understanding, and by so doing, Nigeria may redeem its tarnished image in the western world.


 

PATRICE EVRA VS LUIS SUAREZ

Man Utd will be looking to end their recent mishap as well as mischance against Liverpool. The two British giants will lock horns at Old Trafford, a game many people tagged as: Patrice Evra VS Luis Suarez.. The Uruaguan was ban a whopping 8 matches for racially abusing Evra.. Many Tv pundits especially Alan Hansen criticised Evra as well as his United gaffer; by claiming the decision was hash and United have not played well for almost 18 months.. But amazingly, Sir Alex rubishes such claims. He proclaimed that it was the same person that criticised United when they lost 6 nill some years back, that: ''you dont win anything with kids'' but nemesis caught up with him as United eventually won the league. Kenny Dalglish also reignite the feud shortly before the match. He claimed that the Uruguan shouldn't have been baned. Evra really had a torrid time at Anfield, when he got back to face the enraged Liverpool fans for the first time since the incident occurs. He was razzed and booed by the furious home fans- and ironically, he ended up been the culprit that gifted Liverpool the crucial win in an FA Cup tie..
Now the return to Old Trafford has been the most maligned game of recent.. Many reckons the game to be a vengeance of what the Kops fans does to Evra back in January.. The Old Trafford faithfulls, who undoubtedly are one of the raucous fans in Britain vows to razz and snort Suarez too. But suprisingly, the Uruaguan claims the booes from the fans would only spur him up. The game is going to be boisterous just as of recent, where many marching orders and penalties were given.. The question now is: Do you think Patrice Evra is going to shake Luis Suarez??? Answer: Only 90mins would tell
After a very robustious first half that saw United dominating all aspect of the game. The most anticipated and prognosticated scene took place when Suarez refused to shake Evra, the defender tried to maintain decorum by grasping the Uruguan's hand, only for him to infelicitously withdraw it back quickly . He went further to stretched his hand to Rio; who was next to Evra after De Gea, but the English defender snubed him too and says after the game that, ''i dont respect Suarez, that was why i didn't shake him. I'v lost all the respect i've got for him. You did wrong and got punished, you were suppose to settle everything'. Paul Scholes headed in a powerful header from a Ryan Giggsy's superb cross only for Reina to parried it away.. Suarez was also a victim of criticism when he pushes Rio which eventually collided with Evra, only for the ref to wave game on, and left ferdinand furious to go and treat his shoulder..
Its all over After 90 mins, Man United produced another superb win over the scousers. They produced a fulgurous and sensational display which culminated into two opulent goals early in the second half, against a poor and indisciplined Liverpool team.. After the handshake snub,ironically for the Home fans, it was the most maligned player that put the Kops on track of claiming atleast a point; he tap in from a Rio Ferdinand's error.. The trio of Rooney,Welbeck, Valencia and Giggs, and ofcourse Paul Scholes had a great afternoon and really gave the Merseyside defenders a torrid aftertoon. Once again another fascinating save from David De Gea helps united to ease the pressure to go on and win the game... The United team we saw, were replenished splendidly with the experience of Scholes and Giggs, of which Sir Alex sticks to them in the Second Half without making any Sub for the first time this season.. Immediately after the game, Patrice Evra; who was the leader and the eventual winner, was celebrating the victory like never before. He was celebrating very close to Suarez, to the bewilderment of everyone, he was being attacked by the furious and humiliated Liverpool players, a scene that was intervened by the Old Trafford stewards; they saw Evra off to the dressing room to avoid yet again another problem.
Sir Alex Ferguson tagged Suarez a 'disgrace' to the Club considering the records they have got, proclaiming they should ditch him. What he did was very ignominious and could have caused a riot.. However the police also tried to maintain decorum by seizing banners meant to lampoon the Uruaguan.
If i were to be Wayne Rooney, i would've dedicated those goals to the duo of Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez.

RYAN GIGGS 900TH MANCHESTER UNITED APPEARANCE

After making his debut for Manchester United in 1991 in and EPL match against Everton. He goes a long way to become the most decorated player in the history of British football.
Even though he started his career at Manchester City, he was snapped up my Manchester United when he was just 14 years,having being watched constantly by the then Manchester United chief scout; Schofield.
He is the only player to have scored in every single season since the inception of the League, and kept that sensational record to date.
He has 4 FA cup winners medal, 3 League cup winners medal, 12 League titles, 2 UCL title(1999 and 2008 ).
He was the first player to win the PFA award consecutively in 1991 and 1992, and the award stopped for a while, until 2009 where he won it again.
He has the record of the most assist in the history of EPL with 271 assists.
Giggs has been played as a wide player through out his career, but in the Season of 2000, he was shifted to more of a central midfiled role due to his age and lack of pace.
He was named Manchester United greatest player in Jan 2011 by a world wide poll conducted by United magazine called Inside United as well as Man United official website.
Giggs eclipse the Record of Sir Bobby Charlton of 759 appearance in a league match when he came up for JS Park at the DW Stadium, and eventually scored the crucial goal that bagged united their 17th EPL tittle and days later he converted the penalty that won United the UCL against Chelsea..
He made his 900th appearance against Norwich away from home; Carrow Road. United took the lead when Paul Scholes headed home a cool header, however Norwich equalized from Holt's powerful and sumptuous volley, that made united to be searching for a crucial goal.
The goal came in the 92nd minutes, where Ryan Giggsys opulent volley made it 2:1, he marked his 900th appearance in style..
The only recent player that holds that record was Maldini who made 902 appearance for the Rossenerri before hanging his booths in 2009 months before his 41st birthday.

NIGERIA AND THE CHALLENGE FOR POWER SUPPLY


'Up Nepa' : is the commonest adage or saying amongst many Nigerians. This is normally chanted whenever the epileptic electricity is restored . For a country of Nigeria's callibre, we supposed to have surmount that level about 20 years ago. Many African countries like Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and a host of others to mention; have forgten totally about any power shortage in their countrys'. Nigeria supplies electricity to countries like Chad, Benin Republic, Niger, Togo and even Cameroun itself. But why is she not supplying herself? I will bet to my last blood that Money or finance isn't the problem. But rather, ineptitude, unscrupulous and unsagacious set of malicious and heartless leaders- who are not of the intrest of the masses.

If Ghana has only three power interruptions in three months. What is stoping Nigeria from having atleast one or two interruption in a week?
I wonder where this country is heading to. All the resources are there. Every year, its Billions of Naira been budgeted for power. And yet, there is no any glimpse of improvement.

It was recently proclaimed by the Minister of Power that; Lagos state should be given a 24 hours power supply due to the Economic activities it has for Nigeria. This made me to wonder about the Economic position occupied by Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan and the oil producing states.

And now the Government are planning for an 80% increase in power bill by April. Where is the power that its bill is about to be increased and inflated??? The money that was budgeted from 1999-2012 is enough for Nigeria to generate more than 100,000 MGW.

Brazil generated 2000 MGW in two years. Its a shame for Nigeria that we couldn't produce even 1000 MGW in more than a decade.

South Africa not long ago, produced another 2000MGW when they are about to host the first World Cup on African soil in the year 2010. And felicitously for them, there isn't any power shortage through out the tournament. That power was generated as a reserve, incase of any shortage.

Instead of Nigeria to give the power sector a huge boost, and encourage other stake holders to invest vigorously in the sector, here they are; buying generators in every govenment offices. Infact, it has even trangressed to our embassy's abroad, where illogically, billions of Naira was budgeted last year for the purchase of generators in Nigerian embassys abroad.

Suprisingly, the 2012 budget that becomes the most maligned discussion amongst nigerians recently. The top government officials are highly beneficiaries which was characterised with millions of Naira for flowers, billions of Naira for food, almost a trillion of Naira for security (and yet no sign of improvement), millions for newspapers and a plethora of others to mention. To rap it all, a whooping 30% goes to South- South.

If Nigeria can improve its power sector, there is going to be a tremendous enjoyment in the country. The rates of transportation, communication would all be low. Thus improves our standards of living.

THE END OF BARCELONA

What Sir Alex, Arsene Wenger, and Jose Mourinho can not do, young Roberto Di Matteo can do better.

Despite Barcelona's inevitable possession of the game from the start to finish, it was the North London club that enjoy the most memorable night of their career.
They form a good blockade that denied the Catalans any access to goal. Early in the first half, Chelsea had a their plans dented as Garry Cahill was forced out with a serious knee problem. That made way for Portuguese winger Bosingwa to taste the glory. Barcelona also had Gerard Pique substituted when he collided with Victor Valdes after a long ball from Frank Lampard.
Sergio Busquet's first half goal was cancelled by Ramires sumptuous chip that went beyond the grasp of the outrushing Victor Valdes.

Moment's later, Chelsea had their captain fastantic sent off for a soft challenge on Alexis Sanchez. A decision that was very dubious by some fans. At first, the Turkish ref overlooked it and after consultation from the assistant ref, he flashed a red card without hesitation.

Fernando Torres who has become the most maligned player in recent, following his £50 mill transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea, stole the headlines of tomorrow. He receives a superb pass from halfway line, push down to meet the outrushing keeper. He composedly beat the keeper to score the dramatic equaliser that left the catalans furious and in search of two late goals from another planet within the shotest possible time. He has completely becomes fans favourite given the goal he scored.

Lionel Messi missed a spot kick early in the second half to open the tie wide open. Didier Drogba harshly brought down Cesc Fabregas and the ref pointed to the spot instantly. Messi hit the woodwork and left the fans and players in absolute agony.

The match looks boisterous at a point in time when Fabregas and Frank Lampard almost had a fight, although the former and the latter are use to that considering the Carling cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal ar Cardiff in 2007.
The outcome of the tie between Real Madrid and Chelsea is going to be very crucial. Both teams will tighten up their belts having known that Uefa's favourite team; often tagged ad Uefalona are surprisingly out of the competition.
The blues now revived their argony of 2009 and turn it into happiness. That game was one of the hash and inept officiating in so many years. Many penalty appeals, believed to be four, sending off and a plethora of others were turn down in favour of Barcelona. After all that scenes, Iniesta scores the dramatic winner to send them all the way to Rome and they ended up trashing and outplaying Manchester United.

The dominance of CF Barcelona in both Europe and La Liga is gradually coming to an end as they have started becoming too ordinary. They have conceded many goals and lost some matches in the process. Thats not how they were some years back.
Jose Mourinho will really be excited about the sensational result, and will prepare alot to be all the way to the final.

ROAD TO MUNICH

The road to Munich has been predicted to be another episode of the 251th series of the El- Classico derby by many fans as well as tabloids and football pundits. Things went contrary to plan as both spanish outfits were dumped and left abashed by Chelsea and Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid move into the game bearing in mind the away goal they've scored at Germany. However, after starting the game superbly, enjoying possession, and a free flow of passes, the moments of joy came up when Angel Di Maria's shot was vigorously handled by young Brazilian Gustavo, hitherto the penalty decision. Christiano Ronaldo step up as usual to convert a sensational penalty that sent Manuel Nuer the wrong way to put the Galacticos ahead. They continue to press and press until Ronaldo knetted another cool finish and put them to goals ahead. Felicitously for Real Madrid at that time, they are already boarding their ticked to Germany having lost 2-1 earlier on. However, a series of tactical changes by the German outfits saw them mount a severe pressure on Madrid, that which later culminated into a dubious penalty been awarded for a soft challenge on Bayern's top scorer, Mario Gomez by Pepe.

The match finally transgressed the normal 90 min to the extra time. After a 30 mins extra time, its time for the penalty spot kicks to decide the winner.
Young left back, Alaba took the responsibility to put Bayern ahead. That follow up with a stunning miss from Ronaldo; who had scored earlier on and Kaka to let the galacticos 2 goals behind. Iker Casillas responded well by making two opulent saves to give Real Madrid a glimpse of hope having drawn level, after Alonso had scored the first penalty for Madrid..

However, Sergio Ramos who stole the headlines of the day, fired a shot above the goal post, little wonder why the likes of Higuain, Khedira, etc not given any chance. That made the tie and a dream for all the Madrid players dented and almost over. A cool penalty from Bastian sealed the game and sent them all the way to Munich, which coincided to be their home. They shall be playing in front of their fans in the final, what a dream for them.

Mourinho's chances of keeping another milestone of record has to wait until next season. At least he should be contented with the potential La Liga trophy waiting for him. Had he won today, then he would have become the first manager in the history of the tournament to win 3 trophies with three different clubs.

With Bayern Munich progressing into the final with just two men in Gustavo and Bastuber missing due to suspension for double bookings, it would be really difficult for the Blues; who at the moment are the pride of english football in europe to eliminate Bayern. Bayern will be playing at home, in front of a raucous and highly fierced fans, that is enough to give them an enormous boost to seal the 6th trophy in their history. The argony of loosing the league in two season to the ever burgeoning Brussia Dortmund will definitely be compensated if they bag the Champions League trophy. Robben who was criticize for missing a penalty on the decider game with Dortmund, redeemed his tarnished image by scoring a sensational penalty to draw them level.

Congratulations to the duo of Bayern and Chelsea. Only 90mins will decide the tie on May 19th.